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Should we look @ the problem of overheating first? Not that a cooler is the wrong way to go, but that depends on $$$ and preference, right?

What are the compete spec for the laptop. Does it have vents on the bottom of the laptop. Is there fans in those vents. If there is fans which way do they work. Intake [ most likely ]or Exhaust.  Where are the vent locate on the bottom of the laptop.

 That does not do me much good. You need to find out if there is vent on the bottom of the laptop. If there is and they are intake vents than you need a laptop cooler that has fans blowing up toward the laptop. If they are exhaust than you need a cooler with the fans blowing down a way from the laptop. Try to get a cooler where the fans lineup as close to the vents that you can get. You can also do it the cheap way and get something to prop up the back of the laptop so more air can get under the laptop.

Put  your hand near them when the laptop is on. Are they pulling air in or blowing air out.

Than they are exhaust. So you need to find a cooler where the fan are near the back of the cooler and are blowing down away from the laptop,as long as it does that you can pick any one you like and is in your price range. I would just prop up the back of the laptop and see how that works first.

Any brand name should be all right. Here a link to Newegg and you can take a look .
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=laptop+cooler&x=6&y=34
 See which ones you like and read the reviews on it.

I have the same problem.  I also have a hp dv9000.  It gets hot enough to fry and egg when I have an expresscard inserted.  When I don't its just plain hot.  I've been looking for a chill pad as well.  I want one that fits my computer which is 19 inches as well.  Have you found one?  I haven't. 

The 'prop it up so the back is open to the air" suggestion would be great if I wanted to use my laptop as a desktop.  However, I want to actually set it in my lap and therefore all those fancy prop it up accessories aren't very helpful.  Until I find a fan one, I'm using the insert in the box that the laptop came in.  Its about as big as a desktop's keyboard.  I place it so it raises the laptop off my lap or off any surface by about 2 inches.  I orient it so that the exhaust vents are hanging over the edge of the box and they can have free air flow.  It makes the laptop a little precarious and sometimes it flips over.  Still my lap and the laptop are both cool.  Its annoying but its the best that I have found. 

I also found that I don't need anything when I set it on a big heat sink...like my granite countertops. 

My laptop is brand new.  However, is there is something that needs cleaning as someone suggested, perhaps they could suggest some details of exactly how to do that.